Trouble at Cape Kiwanda

And if the fisherman have been using that area for many years and now surfers are there, Who wins?
I read the surfers have the right of way because the fishermen are not needed any more. Sorry, why would anyone be so stupid to surf where boaters have been for years. And in very cold water? I'm sorry someone got hurt, but maybe the surfers have other waters they could use. If you enter an area where there are boats, BEWARE !!

does it matter if he the kid as u put it was a local or not,what a disgusting selfish [theres that word again] thing to say oh my god water vs anchor what if the kid as u put it was ur son,far out, some of u foolish boat ppl are making other anchors look bad ,maybe they should have slowed down a bit comming into shore wittnesses said hey was flying in,im no surfie i have lived nr and on the beach all my life aswell as mykids and owned a boat give way

Heehee. Surfers are the dumbest, most arrogant people I have ever met. They all seem to take great delight in getting in the way of others. They think the ocean belongs to them. No common sense or courtesy. I've been fishing from the beach on many occasions when there is nobody around for a mile in either direction. Then here come the surfers. They get in the water right in front of my fishing lines, paddle right into them, get caught in the hooks, etc. The mile of beach on either side is not good enough, NO! Surfing is obviously no fun if you can't mess with a fisherman. They can see the fisherman getting ready to cast 6 ounces of lead and there they are right in front. Again, dumbest group of people on earth with zero common sense.

What no one has recognized, especially regarding the rule of right of way, is that while the boats may have the ability to maneuver faster, they also have a fairly perilous window of opportunity to make it to the beach between large waves. Once they commit, they are no longer in the same state of manueverability. Considering the fact that if the swell is high they may not be able to see the surfers, as well as the fact that if they capsize as a result of attempting to avoid a collision (in the only lane they have) the results could be catastrophic in terms of life and livelihood, it seems rather obvious that this particular area should be closed to surfers. Perhaps create a slightly narrower "Dory only" zone.

Being a surfer and a windsurfer and having lived on boats a good portion of my life and having experienced bringing a dingy to shore in high surf, I can see both sides of the equation and the argument made by Phenix76 is clearly that of someone who has never experienced the rush/fear of picking the moment between waves and commiting, knowing that if you screw up you could be in serious trouble, without a wetsuit or surfboard to hold on to...

Posted By: jhawke @ 07/17/2008 9:28:18 PM
Comment: The "public" ultimately does NOT own the beaches. Some form of government does. Ever seen those "No Swimming" signs? Ever seen Beach Patrols? Who do you think enforces those rules and regulations? The fairy griggin' godmother? Probably another mindless liberal Obama lover!
--------------------------------------
Jayhawk, as i read your postings, I throught there was something almost sinister in your words, almost as if you felt this 14 year old youngster DESERVED what happened. Your criticize the surfers, yet you later say you surfed Florida and California but no longer surf. Perhaps you are an old gizzard who is better that he now has to work instead of enjoying sufing and riding the waves. I am not a surfer, I am one of the folks who prefers to watch the surfers from the shore. Sounds like you are pretty bitter about a few things. Then, you bring your disdain of Senator Obama into the picture?? What has he to do with this accident? I don't see where he was either surfing or fishing in those waters. I am now more inclined to think you are, somehow, off your rockers as well.

So far as idiot, "protecting the rights of idiots to remain stupid," gee you're right. I guess this was meant as complementary to the boy. Learn to read.

Try again clown, people were swimming in those waters before motors were even invented (read a history book sometime). If this argument was in regards to a fisherman rowing someone's arm off, your point would be valid, but sorry try again.

"Good! Keep the surfers in Cal where they bloody belong!"

Yeah, dumb a$$ surfers, what do they think this is a free country or something.

Good! Keep the surfers in Cal where they bloody belong!

Finally, the last time I checked, fishing and surfing takes place in the WATER, not on the BEACH.

wow!!! after posting my last comment i read some of the disturbing excuses, for being selfish,the kid was 14,having a surf not taking drugs or robbing banks,he has every right to be in the water,accidents do happen,but, come on boaties ,u should know the rules!!!! it was interesting to hear murphy s comment in regards to the rules,'"the one who can yield the fastest is the one who should." soundsrimech!!!charniekjikjlcharcharniewonderwonderwonder

WaterVsAnchor: I'm originally FROM Florida and understand that. It's common freaking sense. But today everyone feels they are entitled to everything, so what else is new. Who'd have thought that morons in this nation would take the side of surfers who do so for FUN over fishing boats who's crew do so for a way of LIFE, accident or not.

I apologize for the double post. Didn't think the first one went through. Glad to see there are some good people on here who understand how this beach operates. As I said before, Oregon is nothing like Florida or California or those "touristy" beaches you always see on TV. Oregon has a lot of commercial fishing, and an extremely dangerous coastline and people who are there for recreational purposes need to understand that.